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whitemouth dayflower

Scientific Name: Commelina erecta

Family: Commelinaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: IA (dayflower), MI (slender day-flower), NJ (slend

       

Commelina erecta: Whitemouth Dayflower

Commelina erecta, commonly known as Whitemouth Dayflower, is a perennial herb belonging to the Commelinaceae (Spiderwort) family.

Common Names

  • Whitemouth Dayflower
  • Widow's Tears
  • Day Flower
  • White-mouth Dayflower
  • Slender Dayflower
  • Blue Commelina
  • Blousel Blommetjie
  • Erect Dayflower
  • Narrow-leaved Dayflower
  • Hierba de Pollo
  • Flor de Santa Lucia
  • Scrub Dayflower

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Commelina erecta L.
  • Family: Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)
  • Synonyms: C. angustifolia Michx.

Distribution and Habitat

Commelina erecta is native throughout the Americas, Africa, and western regions. It is commonly found across a large part of the world and most of the United States. It grows in rocky woods. A photo was taken in November in North America.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Commelina erecta is a perennial herb, growing up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height.
  • It flowers from July to September, with seeds ripening from August onwards.
  • Erect dayflower reaches heights of six to eighteen inches, and then usually bends over to trail to a length of.
  • Easily identified by the small white bilobed lower petal.
  • The flowers last less than a day.

Ecological Role

Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also for wildflower gardens.

Quirky Facts

  • The scientific name Commelina erecta is named after three Dutch brothers who were all botanists.
  • The similar Birdbill Dayflower (Commelina dianthifolia) has flowers with 3 blue petals.

Further Information

For more information about NATL plants, visit http://natl.ifas.ufl.edu/biota/plants.php.

Discover Life's page is available for biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution information.